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Animal cognition2012; 16(2); 301-305; doi: 10.1007/s10071-012-0589-4

Spatial cognition and perseveration by horses, donkeys and mules in a simple A-not-B detour task.

Abstract: We investigated perseveration and detour behaviour in 36 equids (Equus caballus, E. asinus, E. caballus × E. asinus) and compared these data to those of a previous study on domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). The animals were required to make a detour through a gap at one end of a straight barrier in order to reach a visible target. After one, two, three or four repeats (A trials), the gap was moved to the opposite end of the barrier (B trials). We recorded initial deviations from the correct solution path and the latency to crossing the barrier. In the A trials, mules crossed the barrier significantly faster than their parental species, the horses and donkeys. In the B trials, following the change of gap location, all species showed a reduction in performance. Both dogs and horses exhibited significant spatial perseveration, going initially to the previous gap location. Donkeys and mules, however, performed at chance level. Our results suggest that hybrid vigour in mules extends to spatial abilities.
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Publication Date: 2012-12-28 PubMed ID: 23271641DOI: 10.1007/s10071-012-0589-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research studied how horses, donkeys, and mules behave when a familiar path to a goal is altered. The study revealed that mules adapted faster to the new path than horses and donkeys, suggesting that the hybrid vigour common in mules also extends to their spatial abilities.

Introduction and Methodology

  • This study involved 36 equids, including horses, donkeys, and mules, being asked to navigate a detour through an opening at one end of a straight barrier to reach a visible target. This detour had to be performed multiple times, with the position of the gap being moved after a certain number of trials.
  • The responses and speed of these animals in crossing the barrier were compared to a previous study on domestic dogs. The comparison included the speed with which the animals crossed the barrier and their initial reaction when the gap was moved to a different location.

Results from A Trials

  • The initial trials, referred to as A trials, saw mules demonstrating better speed in crossing the barrier when compared to horses and donkeys.
  • This suggests superior spatial cognition in mules, allowing them to navigate the detour and cross the barrier faster than the other equids.

Results from B Trials

  • In the successive trials, known as B trials, where the location of the gap was changed, all species showed a decline in performance.
  • Horses and dogs displayed significant spatial perseveration, often heading initially to the previous location of the gap.
  • However, mules and donkeys did not display this behavior significantly, their performance was somewhat random in this regard and was described as operating at ‘chance level.’

Conclusion

  • These results suggest that the hybrid vigour which is often seen in mules (characteristics superior to those of both parents) extends to their spatial abilities as well.
  • This could mean that mules adapt more quickly to changes in their environment than their parental species, horses and donkeys.

Cite This Article

APA
Osthaus B, Proops L, Hocking I, Burden F. (2012). Spatial cognition and perseveration by horses, donkeys and mules in a simple A-not-B detour task. Anim Cogn, 16(2), 301-305. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-012-0589-4

Publication

Animal cognition
ISSN: 1435-9456
NlmUniqueID: 9814573
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
Pages: 301-305

Researcher Affiliations

Osthaus, Britta
  • Psychology, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK. britta.osthaus@canterbury.ac.uk
Proops, Leanne
    Hocking, Ian
      Burden, Faith

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Cognition
        • Dogs
        • Equidae / psychology
        • Horses / psychology
        • Locomotion
        • Problem Solving
        • Space Perception
        • Spatial Behavior

        Citations

        This article has been cited 23 times.
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